2 Injured In Western Mass Blaze Likely Caused By Oxygen Tank 2 Injured In Western Mass Blaze Likely Caused By Oxygen Tank
2 Injured In Western Mass Blaze Likely Caused By Oxygen Tank Fire investigators believe a fire that injured two people on Monday, Feb. 19, in Hampden County began from a medical oxygen tank.  Firefighters responded to 68 State St. in Ludlow just before 5:30 p.m. to reports of a fire. They found two older adults, both injured, trapped inside, state firefighting officials said.  Paramedics rushed both of them to an area hospital for treatment, and one was later taken to a Boston hospital for additional care.  The fire remains under investigation, but officials believe the oxygen tanks found inside the home played a role in the intensity…
Community Falling For Cupid, Injured Dog Found In Western Mass Road, But Vet Bills Climbing Community Falling For Cupid, Injured Dog Found In Western Mass Road, But Vet Bills Climbing
Community Falling For Cupid, Injured Dog Found In Western Mass Road, But Vet Bills Climbing A puppy found running through traffic in Hampden County on Valentine's Day has captured the hearts of many people. But caring for the aptly named Cupid is costly, and her caretakers are asking the community to help.  Cupid was found on Feb. 14 near the Milltown Animal Control office in Palmer. Officials believe someone dropped off the injured animal in the parking lot, and she got scared and ran onto the nearby roadway.  The severely injured animal was rescued and taken to Monson Animal Clinic for treatment. Posts about her on social media have hundreds of likes, shares, and…
Prostitution Sting: 5 Busted Trying To Pay Springfield Cop For Sex Prostitution Sting: 5 Busted Trying To Pay Springfield Cop For Sex
Prostitution Sting: 5 Busted Trying To Pay Springfield Cop For Sex Several men found themselves in handcuffs on Thursday, Feb. 15, after they hired what they thought was a prostitute online, but when they showed up, they were met by police.  Springfield police posed as online escorts, where men would offer to pay money in exchange for sexual services inside a hotel room. But unbeknownst to them, the room was filled with Springfield police officers and Hampden County Sheriff's deputies. Related: Westfield Massage Parlor Owners Charged In Prostitution Bust Officers arrested five men from 1 until 7 p.m. as they showed up to the designated hotel room a…
Man, 65, Killed Crossing Holyoke Street Man, 65, Killed Crossing Holyoke Street
Man, 65, Killed Crossing Holyoke Street A 65-year-old man was killed after being hit by a car as he crossed the road in Hampden County earlier this week.  The Holyoke man was crossing near the intersection of South Street and Charles Street around 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11, authorities said.  Paramedics rushed him to Baystate Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.  The driver who hit him remained on the scene and called 911. No charges have been filed as of Thursday.  Police have not released the man's name as they notify his family.  The crash is under investigation, and no charges had been fi…
Western Mass Restaurant To Temporarily Close; Owners Plan Revamp, Work On New Eatery Western Mass Restaurant To Temporarily Close; Owners Plan Revamp, Work On New Eatery
Western Mass Restaurant To Temporarily Close; Owners Plan Revamp, Work On New Eatery The owners of The Federal in Hampden County said they would close one of their locations beginning later this month as they update the restaurant and prepare to launch another eatery. Michael Presnal, executive chef and co-owner of The Federal, said in a news release that the 135 Cooper Street restaurant would close on Feb. 24 for an undisclosed period of time.  "We have made small updates to the restaurant since opening 22 years ago, but we are at a point where we’d like to reimagine the physical and operational aspects of The Federal Restaurant," he said in a news …
Man Kidnaps Woman At Knifepoint In Western Mass, Forces Her Into Hotel Room: Police Man Kidnaps Woman At Knifepoint In Western Mass, Forces Her Into Hotel Room: Police
Man Kidnaps Woman At Knifepoint In Western Mass, Forces Her Into Hotel Room: Police A Hampden County man is accused of robbing a couple in West Springfield before forcing the woman at knifepoint to go with him to a hotel, where he planned to rape her, authorities said.  Michael Hunter, of Leeds, is charged with armed robbery, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, assault to commit rape, and assault and battery, West Springfield police said. Officers were called to the area of 1130 Riverdale St. in West Springfield around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, to reports of a man assaulting a man and woman at knifepoint. Witnesses said the man forced the …
Ring Stolen From Dead Veteran Returned To Family; Springfield Nursing Assistant Charged Ring Stolen From Dead Veteran Returned To Family; Springfield Nursing Assistant Charged
Ring Stolen From Dead Veteran Returned To Family; Springfield Nursing Assistant Charged A wedding ring stolen from a recently deceased veteran in Hampden County has been returned to the man's family after a Massachusetts State Trooper tracked it to a pawn shop. A nursing assistant who'd helped care for the man admitted to taking the ring and selling it, authorities said.  Antonio Bell, 53, of Springfield, is charged with theft from a person over 65, theft from a building, and receiving stolen property, State Police said. Bell had cared for the veteran for three years.  Trooper Jonah Vaclavicek, stationed at the Northampton barracks, spent two weeks investigating…
Man Guilty Of Drunken Crash That Killed 47-Year-Old Springfield Father Of 2: DA Man Guilty Of Drunken Crash That Killed 47-Year-Old Springfield Father Of 2: DA
Misael Sanchez Guilty Of Killing Christopher Martin In Crash A Hampden County jury found a 39-year-old man Springfield man guilty of a 2018 drunken fatal crash, authorities announced.  Misael Sanchez was found guilty of manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol on Friday, Feb. 2, the Hampden County District Attorney's Office said. A judge sentenced him to 7 to 10 years in prison.  Sanchez crashed his Acura into a Christopher Martin's Toyota just after 4:30 a.m. on Parker Street on Aug. 4, 2018.  Paramedics rushed Martin to Baystate Medical Center, but doctors were unable to save the 47-year-old's…
Massage Parlor Owners Busted On Prostitution, Sex Trafficking Charges In Western Mass Massage Parlor Owners Busted On Prostitution, Sex Trafficking Charges In Western Mass
Todd Simonds, Baushun Simonds Charged With Running A Brothel A couple who ran a Hampden County massage parlor were using it as a brothel, police in Westfield announced on Thursday, Feb. 1.  Todd and Baushun Simonds, both of Holyoke, were arrested after police raided the Southampton Road Massage and Body Work at 282 Southampton Road in Westfield, Westfield police said.  Police had been investigating the couple for some time and had determined they were trafficking in women to perform sexual favors on customers for money, though, the workers were not being paid, police said. The only money they kept were the tips they received from their…
'A Life Could Have Been Saved': Ludlow Man Out On Bail Now Accused Of Murder 'A Life Could Have Been Saved': Ludlow Man Out On Bail Now Accused Of Murder
'A Life Could Have Been Saved': Ludlow Man Out On Bail Now Accused Of Murder A 28-year-old Hampden County man with an extensive criminal history and was out on bail for two gun-related charges has been accused of gunning down a Springfield man, police said.  Ethan Fitzgerald, of Ludlow, is charged with murder, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and discharging a gun within 500 Feet of a building, Springfield police said.  Authorities arrested Fitzgerald on Thursday, Jan. 25, around 10 a.m. during a sting involving multiple police agencies when they stopped him near the intersection of Jefferson Avenue an…
2 Teens Sparked 4 Fires In Western, Central Mass Using Explosives: Arson Investigators 2 Teens Sparked 4 Fires In Western, Central Mass Using Explosives: Arson Investigators
2 Teens Sparked 4 Fires In Western, Central Mass Using Explosives: Arson Investigators Arson investigators busted two teenagers who they say are responsible for setting multiple fires in Hampden and Worcester counties using explosives.  Nathan Asselin, 19, of Sturbridge, and Camron Lamarche, 19, of Southbridge, are charged with four counts of possession of a destructive device, placing an explosive device, vandalism, and other offenses, the State Fire Marshal said.  Investigators said the duo placed explosive materials in mailboxes and outdoor sites on Town Farm Road in Brookfield, Sturbridge Road in Holland, Boston Road E in Monson, and New Boston Road in Stur…
Police ID Western Mass Cop Shot In Shootout; Fundraiser Tops $20,000 Police ID Western Mass Cop Shot In Shootout; Fundraiser Tops $20,000
Cameron Prosperi, 29, ID'd As Wilbraham Cop Shot In Shootout Police in Hampden County have identified the officer who was shot and seriously injured during a shootout with a suspect over the weekend.  Cameron Prosperi, 29, had been with the Wilbraham Police Department for eight months when he was wounded in the line of duty on Saturday, Jan. 20, the department announced on Facebook.  Related: Michael Ortega ID'd As Man Who Shot 29-Year-Old Wilbraham Cop: Police Prosperi and two other officers exchanged fire during a standoff after a man barricaded himself inside a home at 11 Old Carriage Drive in Wilbraham around 8 p.m. Three peo…